Missouri truck driver donates $5,000 to domestic violence shelter
Dee Sova, a professional truck driver with Prime Inc., donated $5,000 to Harmony House, an organization that provides shelter and support services to domestic violence survivors in Springfield, Missouri.
Sova recently received the 2024 Trucking Cares Foundation’s John Lex Premier Achievement Award, accompanied by a $5,000 check to be given in her name to a charity of her choice.
"Harmony House was my charity of choice because of the outstanding work that they do in the greater Springfield community and in the state of Missouri," Sova continued. "Helping victims of domestic violence, which includes men, women, and children, is vital here. Not only have they provided shelter and a safe haven for these victims, but numerous other services. They’ve partnered with law enforcement and community groups to provide assistance to families in need."
The Trucking Cares Foundation bestows the John Lex Premier Achievement Award annually to an individual or company that exemplifies trucking’s spirit of giving. In recognition of the honoree’s generosity of time and money, TCF makes a $5,000 donation to a charity designated by the recipient.
Truck driver named TCA Highway Angel for assisting elderly man in traffic
The Truckload Carriers Association has named truck driver Joel Perez, from Pembroke Pines, Florida, a TCA Highway Angel for assisting an elderly man whose car broke down in the middle of the highway in rush hour traffic. Perez works for ABF Freight out of Ft. Smith, Arkansas.
On October 31, 2024, Perez was driving on the Palmetto Expressway around 9 a.m. in Miami. In the heavy traffic, he noticed a vehicle was blocking two left lanes of traffic.
“It was an old man broken down,” Perez said. “Nobody stopped to help the guy, so I stopped.”
Perez exited his vehicle and proceeded to help the 76-year-old man by pushing his vehicle off to the shoulder of the road to eliminate the potential for a crash.
“I pushed his car by myself—nobody helped me,” he said, noting that people were honking at the man blocking traffic. Perez took the time to stop to help the man avoid being in a more serious accident as a result of being broken down on the highway.
Nebraska Trucking Cares Fund donates $5,000 to Salvation Army
Noting that hurricane relief efforts are continuing, and will be ongoing for a long time, members of the Nebraska Trucking Association recently undertook a fundraising effort in partnership with the Salvation Army.
“We looked into trying to collect donatable goods,” said Kent Grisham, NTA president and CEO. “But after some research, it was clear that various service organizations in the Southeast had well-established methods of collecting and distributing materials in areas hard-hit by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. So, we decided to partner with one of the most trusted and reliable service organizations in the world, the Salvation Army, to conduct a fundraising campaign.”
Organized by the NTA’s Women’s Council, the Nebraska Trucking Cares Fund normally focuses on assisting employees of NTA members who are experiencing hardship. But the need of hurricane victims in the Southeast motivated members of the council, along with NTA members everywhere, to act. “Nebraska is no stranger to natural disasters. Just this year we experienced devastating tornadoes, hailstorms, floods, and even wildfires. So, there was no shortage of compassion and generosity among our members for what our fellow Americans were experiencing in the Southeast,” Grisham said.
Leaders from the NTA and the Salvation Army recently gathered for a ceremonial check presentation. “We are truly grateful for this outstanding support from the Nebraska Trucking Association via the Nebraska Trucking Cares Fund,” said Maj. Scott Shelbourn, commander of The Salvation Army Western Division. “The $5,000 donated by NTA members will make a big difference for Salvation Army disaster-relief operations that are still ongoing in the Southeast in the wake of Hurricanes Helene and Milton. It takes a team effort to help disaster-impacted communities recover, and we salute the NTA for being part of that team.”
See also: Top 5 2024: Five Good Things in trucking
Women In Trucking Association announces its January 2025 Member of the Month
The Women In Trucking Association has announced Alyssa Briggs as its January 2025 Member of the Month. At only 24 years old, Briggs has been a trailer mechanic at XPO, Inc. for nearly four years.
Unsure of what she wanted to do when she grew up, Briggs decided to go to a vocational school where she was accepted into her third choice: the diesel mechanic course. At first, she was scared because she knew nothing about anything mechanical. On the first day of school, she realized she was the only woman in her class, making her even more nervous; however, most of the men were quick to answer the questions she had and taught her a lot. Briggs grew to love mechanics, and the more she learned, the more interested she became.
After graduation, Briggs wanted to become a professional mechanic but was terrified of applying for a job. “I felt like I didn’t have a chance in this industry,” Briggs said. “I wasn’t sure who would give a woman a chance, and it took a little more than a year of considering my options and a whole bunch of pep talks with my husband who finally convinced me to give it a try.”
Briggs began researching and came across XPO, which seemed like the perfect fit for her. “I remember asking the interviewer if the company had ever employed a woman mechanic and to my surprise, he responded with, ‘We actually have two other great women mechanics here.’” Once Briggs was extended a job offer, she accepted and was beyond excited.
At XPO, Briggs has been able to further her knowledge with hands-on experience. In November, Briggs had the chance to put her skills to the test at the company’s annual MasterTech competition which tests the professional skills and knowledge of XPO’s top technicians. Briggs took first place in the competition, becoming the first woman in history to win.
“This accomplishment will motivate me to become an even better technician and will motivate other women to take chances and to just go for things in their career,” Briggs said. “I hope other women mechanics and women who are considering going into this field see this and know that we are just as capable in a male-dominated field!”
IMC Logistics spreads holiday cheer
Recently IMC Logistics had several toy drives across the nation. The company partnered with the Memphis-based Neighborhood Christian Center to provide Christmas for 76 children. With this partnership, IMC provided everything from toys to clothing to fulfill their wish lists.
IMC also supported the Marines’ Toys for Tots program in Texas. Through this program, the company not only provided donated toys but team members and drivers also volunteered to pick up Toys for Tots donation boxes at 395 locations throughout Austin and Houston, Texas.
